Spotlight

Another Great Partner!
GSA USA is pleased to add the Cyclist for the Bay program to its distinguished list of partners and applauds these cyclists as they pedal for the planet.

Cyclist for the Bay is a program of the non-profit Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF), which is dedicated to protecting and restoring the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers and streams. The ecological health of this, the world’s third largest estuary, is threatened by the pollution generated by the activities of 17,000,000 people in its 64,000 sq mi (165,760 sq km) watershed. This watershed encompasses parts of: Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and New York, as well as Washington D.C.

GSA is also a partner of CBF’s No Child Left Inside Coalition that promotes environmental education for children. 

Events

250 cats say, “Thanks, Dan!”
Under the leadership of Rochester, New York Team Captain Dan Scheid, the athletics department at the University of Rochester provided over 250 used hand balls to the Humane Society Shelter, locally know as Lollipop Farm, for the cats to play with. Read the blog on University of Rocherster’s Green Dandelion.

Timely Support for Monumental Project
On 27 March, GSA New York participated in a bicycle event in Alexandria, Virginia sponsored by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and their Cyclist for the Bay program. The riders pedaled along the spectacular Mount Vernon Trail that winds along the Potomac River through Northern Virginia. The program was developed to increase awareness of the danger faced by the Bay and to encourage actions to defend this natural treasure: like riding a bicycle instead of a car whenever possible to reduce the harmful effects of vehicle emissions that return with the rain to pollute our waters.  Read  more about this marvelous event in The Bay Daily.

Jane’s Stories about us USA
Odyssey Storytelling, Thursday, April 1 at 7 p.m. at Club Congress, in downtown Tucson. Jane told stories from Champions for Change alongside other Tucson sustainability advocates, Habitat for Humanity’s HabiStore Director, Terry Dee, and talk show host, Gina Murphy-Darling. Jane will be talking up our Champions on April 17th at Biosphere 2’s Earth Day celebrations.

Volunteers Needed – 3 Events!
Volunteers are needed on April 17, for a cleanup along the majestic Old Storm King Highway. GSA New York will be teaming up with the Town of Cornwall Conservation Advisory Council to mark Earth Day. Don’t miss it. Contact the New York Team.

GSA Fieldstone and GSA New York are seeking volunteers for the Endurance Challenge at Bear Mountain, NY on May 8 and 9. The North Face Endurance Challenge was voted the "Greenest Racing Series" by Trail Runner magazine.  For the second year, we will be setting up our Ecoflag Recycling Tent to help minimize waste at the event and support The North Face in their journey toward sustainability.  Contact team captains Dan or Kevin.

Two Rides You Can’t Miss!
These upcoming rides are in support of organizations that have been making a substantial effort to reduce their environmental impact and promote sustainability at their events.

Register now for University Medical Center’s 28th El Tour de Tucson in November by contacting dina@gsa-usa.org.  GSA USA is putting together a group of cyclists that want to show their support for clean air and a healthy environment. Be one of the first to register for this exciting event that attracts cyclists from across the U.S.  Register by April 30 to be placed in a special drawing for additional prizes! 

Sign up for the Elephant Head Mountain Bike Challenge at www.xtremebicycling.net or (520)339-9379 before April 17 and you may be the winner of a copy of Champions for Change signed by author Jane Poynter. The Elephant Head Mountain Bike Challenge held on May 1, 2010 is a 16-mile bicycle adventure through Coronado National Forest in the Santa Rita Mountains in Southern Arizona. GSA USA is a proud partner of this event.

Volunteer Spotlight

Jeff Egerton, our amazing newsletter writer, is taking time away from writing his novels to assist GSA USA. A long time Tucson resident, Jeff is the author of two historical novels, The Boxcar Blues and The Brazilian Blues. His next novel, Caribbean Splash, is expected out next year. When he’s not writing, Jeff can be found enjoying the outdoors with his camera, or exploring the southwest’s historical sites. He lives with his wife, Diane. Thanks a millions, Jeff!

Eco-Tips

There are times when you simply can’t get around printing on paper. We at GSA USA headquarters use our locally-owned Arizona Lithographers, one of the greenest printing companies in Arizona. They’ve streamlined processes, reduced lighting and other energy needs, use vegetable-based inks, and power the whole plant with wind energy.

www.greenerprinter.com is an online option that we’ve also used.  

Make $$$ for non-profits just by shopping and searching online.
Go to www.goodsearch.com and enter Global Sports Alliance USA as your non-profit of choice. Every time you goodsearch instead of using other search engines to surf the web, money goes to GSA (or any other nonprofit you would like to help out). Please ask your friends to do the same. It adds up fast, and is a great way to help non-profits in this difficult economy. You can also use their GoodShop portal to any retailer and a portion of your purchase will be donated to the non-profit of your choice.